PLASA Show, now 39 years old, is the annual exhibition that connects the international live entertainment technology industry and ranks as one of the premier shows of its kind. It presents ground breaking technology and exciting new launches by the world's greatest designers and engineers to an international audience of pro audio, lighting, broadcast, AV and stage technology experts.

Since the Equality Act came into effect in 2010, theatres have been required to make reasonable alterations to their buildings to ensure access by disabled ...

18 September 2016

Access and Inclusivity for Design and Technical Teams

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Since the Equality Act came into effect in 2010, theatres have been required to make reasonable alterations to their buildings to ensure access by disabled people. Theatres have equally made provisions for wider audience access to their productions through the use of captioned and signed performances, for instance. In contrast, however, what are the provisions for disabled designers and technicians working backstage? Anecdotally, there is also a high instance of “hidden” disabilities (dyslexia and dyspraxia, for instance) amongst creative and technical teams, and the working conditions prevalent in our industry are known to contribute to a wide range of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. What can be done to open the industry up to people with disabilities, and what can be further done to support those already in the industry (including those who may become disabled during their employment)? This seminar is part of a wider discussion on diversity and inclusivity, facilitated by the ALD, which has already included two panel discussions at PLASA Leeds and this year’s ABTT Show.

18 September 2016

Pin the Mic on the Actor

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A practical demonstration of wireless mic dressing - how to hide them, dress them, colour them. Long hair, short hair, glasses, hats, wigs, completely nude. Over the ear, under the ear, in the hair, on the cheek. Hip, groin, small of the back. Micropore, Transpor, Tegaderm, Hapla band, Zinc Oxide. This seminar will look at the many different options for mounting a mic and transmitter on an actor.

James Gosney and Emma Bigg talk about the important questions to ask when designing an Audio Visual Installation. They will take you through the necessary ...

18 September 2016

AV Installation Strategy for Venue Owners

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James Gosney and Emma Bigg talk about the important questions to ask when designing an Audio Visual Installation. They will take you through the necessary steps to ensure your system design and installation exceeds your customer’s expectations and highlight the potential pitfalls along the way. Based on a wide variety of real life experiences, with examples of good and bad practice, this seminar will give you the tools to ensure the best results every time.

A number of employers in the live events sector have been working together under the Apprenticeship Trailblazer programme to develop new apprenticeships. Apprenticeships for technicians ...

18 September 2016

Apprenticeships - A new approach to employer-led schemes

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A number of employers in the live events sector have been working together under the Apprenticeship Trailblazer programme to develop new apprenticeships. Apprenticeships for technicians in rental houses and venues, as well as riggers are either approved or in the latter stages of development. The Production Services Association has been working with the Trailblazer group, chaired by PRG XL Video, on the development of a Live Event Technician. General Manager, Andy Lenthall will explain the development process and what the new standards mean to employers.

RC4Wireless Presents A Life Untethered: Wireless DMX, Dimming, and Motion for Props, Costumes and Scenery

Wireless DMX has become ubiquitous from London’s West End to Broadway, and all points inbetween. Since 1989, RC4Wireless has been the leader in innovative solutions ...

18 September 2016

RC4Wireless Presents A Life Untethered: Wireless DMX, Dimming, and Motion for Props, Costumes and Scenery

About:

Wireless DMX has become ubiquitous from London’s West End to Broadway, and all points inbetween. Since 1989, RC4Wireless has been the leader in innovative solutions for designers worldwide, including Disney, Cirque Du Soleil, The Blue Man Group, Royal National Theatre, Royal Opera, and many more. Join Sean Dane along with Robin Barton of Lamp & Pencil as well as other special guests as they discuss projects that have expertly used wireless DMX to entertain and delight audiences while easing the job of the run crew. Sean and Robin will also discuss important technical considerations including reliability and resistance to interference, battery selection, and wisely choosing the right components for optimal outcomes.

This year the Riggers’ Forum is being held at 2pm on the 18th September at Olympia before the 2016 Rigging Conference on the 19th September. ...

18 September 2016

Riggers' Forum

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This year the Riggers’ Forum is being held at 2pm on the 18th September at Olympia before the 2016 Rigging Conference on the 19th September.
The Forum will focus on the skills a rigger needs and qualifications, including the National Event Lifting Certificate launched by PLASA earlier this year to qualify riggers who work on the ground only. As usual, the Forum creates an opportunity for entertainment industry riggers to discuss issues they often don't have the time or space for. In attendance will be members of the National Rigging Advisory Group and NRC assessors.

For the opening of Britain’s National Theatre in 1976, theatre consultant Richard Pilbrow specified a new kind of lighting control, capable of dealing with 800 ...

18 September 2016

Inventing The Future: The Story of the National Theatre’s Lightboard

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For the opening of Britain’s National Theatre in 1976, theatre consultant Richard Pilbrow specified a new kind of lighting control, capable of dealing with 800 dimmers, moving lights, colour changers, projection and more, offering powerful tools for mixing and balancing lighting and creating cues with complex timing. Achieving all of this with the computer technology of the day was only borderline possible - but a brilliant team from Strand, nominated for this year’s Gottelier award, ultimately succeeded in creating Lightboard - a console that was such a remarkable advance that some of its functionality is not matched even in the very latest lighting controls of today. Lighting designer and Classic Gear author Rob Halliday tells the story of the specification, creation and use of this remarkable machine - supported by members of the teams who made it, used it, and with an appearance from Lightboard itself, recently recovered by the Backstage Heritage Collection.

Lighting for live performance is created for the audience at the event. Increasingly, shows and events are being broadcast live or recorded for future ...

18 September 2016

Broadcasting the Live Stage Picture

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Lighting for live performance is created for the audience at the event. Increasingly, shows and events are being broadcast live or recorded for future presentation and exploitation. How does the addition of broadcast technology change the appearance and perception of the full stage picture. What are the considerations and constraints that lighting designers need to consider when their work is being captured by camera? This panel discussion will investigate the differences and commonalities that are present for the theatre, concerts and large scale events disciplines.

18 September 2016

Avolites Titan v10 - session 1

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Titan v10 packs in over 30 powerful new features including a fully integrated 3D Capture visualiser, Resizable workspace windows, Halo, Intensity Grid window, Web API and much more. We’ll also demonstrate some other powerful features such as Pixelmapper and the latest Keyframe FX engine. The demonstration will be followed by Q & A session.

18 September 2016

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This free-to-attend 75 minute training session will provide delegates with an overview of all the features of the new MA Lighting dot2 compact lighting console - designed for smaller and mid-sized shows and venues. It will include hands-on instruction covering all the basic operational features of the dot2 console including how to control fixtures, create presets and cue lists, as well as building chases and creating and using effects. Delegate places are limited and so advance booking is advised.

18 September 2016

About:

This free-to-attend 75 minute training session will provide delegates with an overview of all the features of the new MA Lighting dot2 compact lighting console - designed for smaller and mid-sized shows and venues. It will include hands-on instruction covering all the basic operational features of the dot2 console including how to control fixtures, create presets and cue lists, as well as building chases and creating and using effects. Delegate places are limited and so advance booking is advised.

18 September 2016

About:

Titan v10 packs in over 30 powerful new features including a fully integrated 3D Capture visualiser, Resizable workspace windows, Halo, Intensity Grid window, Web API and much more. We’ll also demonstrate some other powerful features such as Pixelmapper and the latest Keyframe FX engine. The demonstration will be followed by Q & A session.

18 September 2016

About:

This free-to-attend 75 minute training session will provide delegates with an overview of all the features of the new MA Lighting dot2 compact lighting console - designed for smaller and mid-sized shows and venues. It will include hands-on instruction covering all the basic operational features of the dot2 console including how to control fixtures, create presets and cue lists, as well as building chases and creating and using effects. Delegate places are limited and so advance booking is advised.

Presented by the Institute of Professional Sound, this session will compare and contrast the differing requirements of these two disciplines and show how the apparent ...

19 September 2016

Broadcast Meets Live Sound

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Presented by the Institute of Professional Sound, this session will compare and contrast the differing requirements of these two disciplines and show how the apparent conflicting requirements can be satisfied for the enjoyment of both audiences.

Theatre applications are refreshing the parts traditional audio cannot reach, using talent tracking and DSP to create 360° mixes. How do they work, how much ...

19 September 2016

Beyond Surround - immersive sound techniques

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Theatre applications are refreshing the parts traditional audio cannot reach, using talent tracking and DSP to create 360° mixes. How do they work, how much further can they go and how can other applications benefit?

RF (radio frequency) spectrum for use by wireless microphone operators has changed a lot over recent years. From the digital TV switchover to the rise ...

19 September 2016

Wireless Mastered - RF & Digital 2016

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RF (radio frequency) spectrum for use by wireless microphone operators has changed a lot over recent years. From the digital TV switchover to the rise of mobile phone ownership — demand for clean spectrum is greater than ever. As consumer demand increases and the airwaves become increasingly crowded, the role we play as sound engineers is imperative. Digital wireless systems have a lot to offer in securing a positive future for wireless microphones through spectral efficiency. Join us as we uncover the RF landscape in 2016, and why you should be looking at digital wireless systems as part of your arsenal.

Oran Burns from d&b Education and Application Support will look at how recent advancements in line array technology allow us to achieve unparalleled tonal balance ...

19 September 2016

Democracy for Listeners; the next level

About:

Oran Burns from d&b Education and Application Support will look at how recent advancements in line array technology allow us to achieve unparalleled tonal balance and even coverage throughout our audience area. System design, tuning and optimization are all now available in one user friendly Workflow.

Justin discusses the role of the Roadie at different levels of the industry - from the one-man sound/backline department, through touring control packages & monitors, ...

19 September 2016

Roadie Etiquette

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Justin discusses the role of the Roadie at different levels of the industry - from the one-man sound/backline department, through touring control packages & monitors, up to full-scale touring with a large team and several truckloads of gear. Suitable for anyone interested in getting into the touring industry.

Nicoline Refsing, Production Designer, Creative Director and founder of Rockart Design has for the past three years, been creating iconic artist performances for the Eurovision ...

19 September 2016

The Art of Creating Impactful Artist Performances

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Nicoline Refsing, Production Designer, Creative Director and founder of Rockart Design has for the past three years, been creating iconic artist performances for the Eurovision Song Contest. Nicoline will show us examples of her work and the creative process behind the performances, amongst others “Australia” whom came in second in the competition this year.

Social media can open doors in your career and get you paid work but are you using it properly? Top tips for social media novices ...

19 September 2016

How to get work from social media

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Social media can open doors in your career and get you paid work but are you using it properly? Top tips for social media novices to regular users on how to make your social channels work for you from the Director of award winning arts marketing company Penguin in the Room.

Visualisation is a key technology at The Royal Opera House, used to provide a virtual venue where all technical elements, especially lighting, can be prepared ...

19 September 2016

Visualisation at The Royal Opera House

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Visualisation is a key technology at The Royal Opera House, used to provide a virtual venue where all technical elements, especially lighting, can be prepared in advance of getting on stage for the first time. James Simpson will talk about some of the latest projects from The ROH, how it is achieved technically and a brief look into the future of visualisation technology.

Do you have what it takes to go from 0.0 to 1.0? Learn how Open Sound Control (OSC) can help you make better shows. Often ...

19 September 2016

OSClympics

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Do you have what it takes to go from 0.0 to 1.0? Learn how Open Sound Control (OSC) can help you make better shows. Often we want to use a performer’s real motion or unique voice to create the visual effect. Just as often, we want a remote control that has the functions we use! OSC can give you both - and more. This lecture will give an introduction to OSC, which debuted in the Eos Family 2.3 software. We’ll discuss a few scenarios where OSC is the simple solution to the problem. No experience required, except perhaps juggling.

“OK, so Eurovision has big budgets and production timescales, but it’s also a phenomenal artistic and technical undertaking, requiring huge amounts of hard work and ...

19 September 2016

Eurovision 2016, Stockholm – A Production Masterclass

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“OK, so Eurovision has big budgets and production timescales, but it’s also a phenomenal artistic and technical undertaking, requiring huge amounts of hard work and an absolute masterclass in communication flow – all of which Ola and his team do brilliantly well.” (Lee Baldock, LSi magazine, June 2016).

Eurovision 2016’s technical director Ola Melzig and lighting designer Fredrik Jönsson will return to PLASA to discuss the design and technical production of this year’s spectacular show. Ola and Fredrik will talk about the dictates of venue, set and camera; the need for design flexibility for 42 delegations and the various interval acts; the search for a new and unique ‘LED look’; how a new approach to artistic content raised the bar of the production and doubled the workload; and how the vast flow of production information was managed, resulting in perfection over three separate broadcasts. And there will be funny pictures.

A "hands on" course going beyond the basics and examining more advanced programming of MagicQ. Learn tips and tricks to make your usage of ...

19 September 2016

Advanced MagicQ - please enquire onsite for availability

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A "hands on" course going beyond the basics and examining more advanced programming of MagicQ. Learn tips and tricks to make your usage of MagicQ even quicker and easier.

A chance to ask you own questions of the ChamSys Software team, understand the development philosophies, and influence the future development of MagicQ features.

Prior knowledge required: Existing ChamSys user with good knowledge of patching and creating MagicQ shows.
Attendees are expected to have good prior knowledge of MagicQ or attended a full 2 day training course at ChamSys previously.

From Athens 2004 to Baku 2015, this session discusses the challenges of sound design for Olympic Ceremonies including loudspeaker system design, control system redundancy, signal ...

20 September 2016

Sound Design for Olympic Ceremonies - Lessons Learnt

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From Athens 2004 to Baku 2015, this session discusses the challenges of sound design for Olympic Ceremonies including loudspeaker system design, control system redundancy, signal transport, RF systems, music replay and timecode. The session will also discuss the broadcast sound, and the many steps between source and destination.

When it was decided to merge the safety standard for audio, radio and TV (IEC/EN 60065) with the safety standard for computers and office equipment ...

20 September 2016

New safety standard – revolution, not evolution

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When it was decided to merge the safety standard for audio, radio and TV (IEC/EN 60065) with the safety standard for computers and office equipment (IEC/EN 60950-1) into a new standard for 'multimedia equipment', the development committee (IEC TC108) decided to start from a blank sheet, rather than try to meld the existing texts together. This was largely because the new standard would use the 'hazard-based principle', where each hazard is identified and the necessary protective safeguard determined. For severe hazards, more than one safeguard may be needed. The result is a huge document with nearly 350 pages, IEC/EN 62368-1. The IEC and EN versions are not identical. Because it is very different from what has gone before, it took a long time, and a lot of money, to produce and indeed it is still undergoing continuous improvement. To ease the transition, a companion Technical Report, IEC TR 62386-2 has been produced. This is also not a short document. The companies that sent experts to the IEC committee to help with the development have had up to fourteen years advance experience with the new standard. The standard can be used now to show compliance with the Low Voltage Directive, and becomes mandatory in Europe on 20 June 2019, according to the present timing, only about 1000 days away.

Oran Burns from d&b Education and Application Support will look at how recent advancements in line array technology allow us to achieve unparalleled tonal balance ...

20 September 2016

Democracy for Listeners; the next level

About:

Oran Burns from d&b Education and Application Support will look at how recent advancements in line array technology allow us to achieve unparalleled tonal balance and even coverage throughout our audience area. System design, tuning and optimization are all now available in one user friendly Workflow.

They say tax doesn't have to be taxing! Boost your understanding of the issues by joining BECTU's Tony Lennon and Steven Sykes, MD at Blue ...

20 September 2016

Tax Essentials for Freelancers

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They say tax doesn't have to be taxing! Boost your understanding of the issues by joining BECTU's Tony Lennon and Steven Sykes, MD at Blue Skies Partnership, for a tour through tax essentials for freelancers. This session will also tackle a frequent dilemma: sole trader v limited company status? You'll also be helped to understand your employment status and the options you have to offset business expenses against income. Don't forget to pick up your free copy of BECTU's Tax Guide for Freelancers.

A panel chaired by Donato Wharton, including Paul Arditti and James Farncombe, will explore how sound and lighting designers work together to create the complex ...

20 September 2016

Investigating the Intangible – When Lighting & Sound Interact

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A panel chaired by Donato Wharton, including Paul Arditti and James Farncombe, will explore how sound and lighting designers work together to create the complex environments that theatre shows inhabit, and how they communicate and compromise in the process of designing for performance. Paul Arditti and James Farncombe have successfully collaborated many productions at the Young Vic and beyond.

Sadler’s Wells refurbished and replaced significant aspects of the theatre’s systems in 2014 and 2015, and we will discuss the improvements and the new technology ...

20 September 2016

Sadler’s Wells: new technology for the stage

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Sadler’s Wells refurbished and replaced significant aspects of the theatre’s systems in 2014 and 2015, and we will discuss the improvements and the new technology installed with some of our key collaborators on the project, including consultants from Carr and Angier, Stage Technologies, Stage Electrics, and GDS. Sadler’s Wells plans to open a new mid-scale venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2021 as one of four organisations that will occupy the Stratford Waterfront site. The new building will include a theatre, a Choreographic School, a Hip Hop Academy and flexible spaces for research, development and production of dance work. We will present aspirations for the new building and the technical facilities being planned.

From owner to technician to stage management student, this is your chance to find out about our renewed strategy to protect theatres, and our current ...

20 September 2016

Theatres Trust green room: how can we help you?

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From owner to technician to stage management student, this is your chance to find out about our renewed strategy to protect theatres, and our current work campaigning for theatres at risk. Then join us for a green room discussion about the challenges theatre buildings face and to find out how we can work better together to ensure your theatre works for you. We are the national advisory public body for theatres. We champion the past, present and future of live theatre, by protecting the buildings and what goes on inside. This is a Theatres Trust 40 event.

20 September 2016

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Merlijn Van Veen presents an independent tutorial about the necessity for low frequency control featuring in-depth examples of generic modern subwoofer configurations and how to design them yourself using generic tools.

The cost of attending is £120 + vat; or £95 + vat for Soulsound or PLASA members (contact sophie.atkinson@plasa.org for member code).